Police warn of fake roadblocks

HARARE – Police have warned that fake roadblocks were being mounted by expelled cops to extort money from motorists.

“We are fully aware of the machinations of some unscrupulous elements who have formed a fifth column that masquerades as police, conducting illegal roadblocks, using spikes and collecting money for themselves,” police spokesperson senior assistant commissioner Charity Charamba told a news conference yesterday.

Police are asking people to be extra cautious when they see “something on the road”.

The fake police officers have effectively formed a parallel service, Charamba said, adding they would soon catch up with the rogue elements.

Three men have been already nabbed and were in custody, assisting the police with investigations.

She urged the public to demand identification cards from officers manning roadblocks.

“Of late, we are noticing a disturbing phenomenon where some individuals or groups of people have gone on overdrive trying to paint gloomy pictures about the Zimbabwe Republic Police.

She acknowledged that nabbing the clique will not be easy as the criminal world had become “exceedingly complex” but was confident that with the “employment of diverse proactive measures of crime prevention” they would get to the bottom of the security concern.

Charamba said computerised operations and integration of all transport management systems to include vehicle theft squad is the long-term cure for the issue.